I felt awkward going to my son’s wedding. I understood perfectly well that my clothes were old and worn in places, and that I would look out of place among the smart, confident guests. But I had no choice.
I am just an ordinary saleswoman in a greengrocer’s shop. My salary is small, but I have always tried to live honestly and work conscientiously. I have never had wealth — only hard work and perseverance. My son grew up without a father, and I had to raise him alone. It was difficult, but I was proud of him: he grew up to be decent, strong, and not bitter about life. We didn’t live luxuriously, but we tried to live according to our conscience. I got used to my simple lifestyle and didn’t complain.
When my son said he had fallen in love and was going to marry a girl from a wealthy family, I smiled and said I was happy for him. But inside, my heart was sinking: how could I help them with the wedding when I barely had enough for the bare necessities?
For three months before the celebration, I was on pins and needles. I thought about the expenses, the preparations, the fact that my only son was starting a new life. But what tormented me most was one thing: what to wear?
There was one green dress in my wardrobe — from the days when I was younger. Simple, inexpensive, but neat. I wore it to all important events: I got through the most difficult days in it, and I wore it to his graduation. Of course, I wanted something new, but I knew it wouldn’t work. So I decided to wear it.
When I entered the church, I immediately heard the bridal relatives whispering:
— Is that really the groom’s mother?
— She could have dressed better…
— Her son is getting married, and she looks like that…
Every word hit me like a blow. I felt out of place among the expensive dresses, jewellery and appraising glances. I wanted the ground to swallow me up.
And then my future sister-in-law approached me. She was slender and radiant, wearing a luxurious white dress, in which everything had been thought out to the smallest detail — from her hairstyle to her shoes. Next to her, I felt my simplicity particularly keenly, as if I had accidentally ended up in the wrong place.
But then something happened that no one expected.
She smiled at me so warmly, as if we had known each other for a hundred years, and said loudly so that everyone around could hear:
“Mum, you look beautiful. I really like this dress. It reflects your history… and how much you love your son.
The air in the church seemed to freeze. Those who had just been whispering looked at us in surprise.
I was confused. I thought she would be embarrassed because of me, as if I were ‘ruining’ the picture. But instead, she came closer, took my hand and added:
“If I had to choose an example of a truly strong woman, I would choose you. I am so grateful that you are here. I am happy to be part of your family. And I am proud that you are now my mother too.
Tears welled up in my eyes. These words sounded so sincere that something inside me melted. In an instant, all my fears disappeared — about the dress, about the looks, about ‘how I look.’ All that remained was the feeling that my son had made the right choice.
When the ceremony began, I sat among the guests and looked at them with quiet pride. She really was amazing — not only beautiful, but also kind and wise. And I suddenly realised: the most important thing is not how much your outfit costs. What matters is the words you carry within you and the kind of person you are.
Now, looking back, I realise that my worries were in vain. The main thing is that I was there for my son on his big day. He found love, and I became part of a new family. And even though I don’t have expensive things, I have something else — an honest life, love for my son, and people who appreciate it.
Sometimes happiness comes just like that: not through money and outward glamour, but through respect, support and simple human kindness. And despite all my fears, that day became one of the brightest in my life.
